March 28, 2002

9:01 AM

Paper enables a certain kind of thinking. Picture, for instance, the top of your desk. Chances are that you have a keyboard and a computer screen off to one side, and a clear space roughly eighteen inches square in front of your chair. What covers the rest of the desktop is probably piles—piles of papers, journals, magazines, binders, postcards, videotapes, and all the other artifacts of the knowledge economy. The piles look like a mess, but they aren't. From The New Yorker.
posted by ColdChef (92 comments total)

Finally! An excuse to not file my papers. I'd print this out and save it...but I'd probably lose it.
posted by ColdChef at 9:05 AM on March 28, 2002

My papers are obsesively organized in a time-ranked fashion based on time of last access. There is no substitute.
posted by NortonDC at 9:15 AM on March 28, 2002

Actually, this is a double post. It's a great example though of the same organizational issues discussed in the article.
posted by pomegranate at 9:37 AM on March 28, 2002 [1 favorite]

The piles look like a mess, but they aren't.

Oh yes they are. I recently moved a whole apartment's paper content to a warehouse, eleven year's worth of scribblings, newspapers, manuscripts, print-outs - and I haven't missed anything yet. Real writers and readers produce way too much paper to organize in any useful way. Time spent filing is time not reading and writing. Malcolm Gladwell, as usual, has taken an old chestnut(there will never be a paperless office)and spit-polished it in the hope it'll shine. Bah!
posted by MiguelCardoso at 9:45 AM on March 28, 2002 [1 favorite]

I thought I was the only one generating this paper-y mess. Thanks for the validation! I'll print this article out (hee hee) and show it to my boss the next time he complains about my messy desk.
posted by Lynsey at 9:49 AM on March 28, 2002

I have to have scads and scads of scrap paper near at hand wherever I go. If there's none around I'll look until I find some. I am not complete without stacks of fresh looseleaf or used-on-one-side-only printer paper at my disposal at all times.

You know that image of PigPen from Peanuts - surrounded by swirling winds of dirt and dust wherever he goes? That's me, only with paper.
posted by iconomy at 10:46 AM on March 28, 2002

this doublepost is
more proof that coldchef is a
punk motherfucker.
posted by mlang at 10:56 AM on March 28, 2002

miss a few days
and you look like a newbie
curse my doublepost
posted by ColdChef at 11:09 AM on March 28, 2002

love hate afair with paper. I file it and then I throw it away slowly, but I need a pad at hand with which to scribble daily notes. I have almost a paperless office, but I throw away tons.

I also really hate the way that paper doesn't line up. Like I have all of these scraps of paper with little ditties that I have written but I don't know how to organize them so I feel overwhelmed. I wish I could fall back on my bed right now I am in such despair. But I am at work and my herman miller chair doesn't allow such.
posted by goneill at 11:19 AM on March 28, 2002

mlang's just jealous
cuz his wife gets all giddy
when coldchef walks by...

:-)
posted by jpoulos at 11:21 AM on March 28, 2002

small slip of paper
g 's email address on it
slipped into my palm
posted by ColdChef at 11:29 AM on March 28, 2002

newbies aren't bad peeps
we simply get a bad rep
because of the trolls
posted by BlueTrain at 11:30 AM on March 28, 2002

S.O.s don't notice
"It's late. Are you still working?"
we speak in whispers
posted by ColdChef at 11:31 AM on March 28, 2002

inside the doomed thread
my heart is laid open, bare
he'll never find out
posted by ColdChef at 11:34 AM on March 28, 2002

arms around my screen
lips pressed to her glassy face
has she done the same?
posted by ColdChef at 11:36 AM on March 28, 2002

why not use the style
iambic pentameter
instead of haiku
posted by BlueTrain at 11:36 AM on March 28, 2002

I summoned the Matt™
soon this thread will be ether
my heart is a rock
posted by ColdChef at 11:38 AM on March 28, 2002

you're a sick bastard
ColdChef, yet I cannot help
but to keep reading
posted by BlueTrain at 11:40 AM on March 28, 2002

swiftness is the key
time is fleeting. seize the thread
syllables are hard
posted by ColdChef at 11:41 AM on March 28, 2002

i suggest that we
continue the poetry
until we are axed
posted by BlueTrain at 11:43 AM on March 28, 2002

oh good God this is
liberating at the least
Woo! I love MeFi
posted by BlueTrain at 11:44 AM on March 28, 2002

alt.haiku.format.fades.bores.grows-stale
alt.iambic.pentameter.strains.challenges.frustrates
alt.holy.format.illuminates.informs.enhances
alt.worldwide.web.absorbs.encompasses.adapts
alt.aanvish.format.suits.fits.graces
alt.metafilter.readers.observe.learn.adopt
alt.doublepost.responses.improve.expand.enjoy

-Mars
posted by Mars Saxman at 11:45 AM on March 28, 2002

love gives no reply
soon my words will all be gone
gone but not goneill
posted by ColdChef at 11:46 AM on March 28, 2002

though coworkers stare
my music blares loud and proud
i will dance for her
posted by ColdChef at 11:49 AM on March 28, 2002

love is illusive
we must strive to discover
more masturbation
:-)
posted by BlueTrain at 11:50 AM on March 28, 2002

papers are scattered
this thread has gone from order
to abject chaos

on desktop I stand
and do my silly dancing
I'm fired for sure now
posted by ColdChef at 11:51 AM on March 28, 2002

now I'm half undressed
campus police on the way
shoot me, but I'll dance
posted by ColdChef at 11:53 AM on March 28, 2002

i'll hire you ColdChef
to cook and write poetry
and to dance for me
posted by BlueTrain at 11:55 AM on March 28, 2002

I shout that, "It's SPRING!"
but office mates stay away
let's celebrate LIFE!

fear drains their faces
it's like that happy hour
when I kissed the boss
posted by ColdChef at 11:56 AM on March 28, 2002 [1 favorite]

But now I must part
My monkey is tired from all
of this haikuing
posted by BlueTrain at 11:57 AM on March 28, 2002

sirens wail outside
coeds stare through the window
time for me to leave
posted by ColdChef at 11:59 AM on March 28, 2002

"I did it for you!"
screaming fills the cubicles
padded cell awaits
posted by ColdChef at 12:00 PM on March 28, 2002

I offer service
Representation for you
ColdChef, I work cheap
posted by Dreama at 12:06 PM on March 28, 2002

love for "gone" is gone
she never loved me for real
I dream-a Dreama
posted by ColdChef at 12:10 PM on March 28, 2002

I want you to know
I have just saved this thread -
future blackmailing
posted by iconomy at 12:37 PM on March 28, 2002

what - but i love
you dear chef i can't
even count syllables
i'm so depressed right now
posted by goneill at 12:42 PM on March 28, 2002

we had something dear -
just a few hours of work
and your gone bye bye
posted by goneill at 12:43 PM on March 28, 2002

is your love fleeting
dear chef? I kiss my mon-tor
but still no return?
posted by goneill at 12:45 PM on March 28, 2002

i take it all back
please forgive my straying ways
to me, she meant nil
posted by ColdChef at 12:45 PM on March 28, 2002

jpolous: mlang's
not my husband,
(just joking mlang)
posted by goneill at 12:46 PM on March 28, 2002

holy fucking shit!
right in front of me, even!
goodbye cru-el world!
posted by mlang at 12:46 PM on March 28, 2002

my darling your back!
i have missed you my sweetheart!
mine forever more!
posted by goneill at 12:47 PM on March 28, 2002

holy fuckign shit is not a good first line of a haiku
posted by goneill at 12:48 PM on March 28, 2002

so, what do you think
about my LBJ look?
what you expected?
posted by ColdChef at 12:48 PM on March 28, 2002

that's mon'tor, goneill.
flaming passions don't excuse
contraction missteps.
posted by mlang at 12:50 PM on March 28, 2002

You people are nuts
Don't any of you have jobs?
Oh. "service" people.
posted by yhbc at 12:50 PM on March 28, 2002

that last haiku was
for the chef, not mlang I
declare my love to

the highest hilltop
all bookmarks forevermore
are now for the chef!

mlang never knew
the glory that was the birds
of curacao. Phony
posted by goneill at 12:52 PM on March 28, 2002

more beautiful yet
handsome than I could have thought
You are the cold chef
posted by goneill at 12:54 PM on March 28, 2002

our forbidden love
must be kept a secret from
the jealous Miguel
posted by ColdChef at 12:55 PM on March 28, 2002

mlang's really not
my husband he isn't the
prim'ry bread winner
posted by goneill at 12:55 PM on March 28, 2002

miguel is not here
alas, for he enjoys a
scandalous haiku
posted by goneill at 12:56 PM on March 28, 2002

and what about her?
does my betrothed fit into
triangular love?
posted by ColdChef at 12:56 PM on March 28, 2002

evanizer is
willing to switch teams for her
he said so himself
posted by ColdChef at 12:57 PM on March 28, 2002

of course! we'll meet at
your wedding - by my count it
is a pentagon
posted by goneill at 1:00 PM on March 28, 2002

yes - we all will switch
all teams for all wives and others
i forgot mr. resin.
posted by goneill at 1:01 PM on March 28, 2002

your s.o.'s with me!
you have wounded her deeply.
i satisfy needs.
posted by mlang at 1:02 PM on March 28, 2002

old style gang bangin'
this is getting too complex
adultry's crazy!
posted by ColdChef at 1:02 PM on March 28, 2002

dong, oh dong where art
though? you are sorely miss'ed
when your not around
posted by goneill at 1:02 PM on March 28, 2002

haikus making head spin
metafilter peyton place
I should get out more
posted by jonmc at 1:03 PM on March 28, 2002

this bandwidth sucking
i fear will anger our host
we should wrap this up
posted by ColdChef at 1:03 PM on March 28, 2002

damn proxy server!
posting is impossible;
it takes many tries.
posted by mlang at 1:04 PM on March 28, 2002

goodbye my sweet loves
no bang has ensued. We await
wedding invitat'ns.

Not a real hit to server this is.
posted by goneill at 1:05 PM on March 28, 2002

i'll abid you adieu
for i have work i must do
my love remains true
posted by ColdChef at 1:06 PM on March 28, 2002

my job interferes.
aforementioned problems, plus
must perform duties.
posted by mlang at 1:06 PM on March 28, 2002

coldchef's a genius.
he deserves my girlfriend's love.
haiku tour-de-force!
posted by mlang at 1:06 PM on March 28, 2002

job here too. I will
miss you, kisses etc
all around, again.
posted by goneill at 1:07 PM on March 28, 2002

alas! so it is
that I'm left alone again
in an empty thread

At least I have you
miguel, you'll keep me comp'ny
miguel? um....miguel?....
posted by jpoulos at 1:33 PM on March 28, 2002

Is it just me or
Does this whole thing make you all
Quite nauseous as well?
posted by Kafkaesque at 1:35 PM on March 28, 2002

sorry to nitpick:
"nauseous" means sick'ning...not "sick"
try "nauseated"
posted by jpoulos at 1:49 PM on March 28, 2002

but...

four-syllable words
are tough to use in haiku
in lines one and three

so i'll let it slide
i'll send you the bill for your
poetic license
posted by jpoulos at 1:53 PM on March 28, 2002

p-p-p-p-pffffft!
yah boo yah boo yah boo yah
ecky ecky thump!
posted by Kafkaesque at 1:54 PM on March 28, 2002

ignoring jealous
friends... coldchef how do you rip
records i wonder?
posted by goneill at 2:01 PM on March 28, 2002

i would rather view
questionable haiku
than gaseous rant
posted by asok at 2:03 PM on March 28, 2002

now see, the problem I have with organizing my papers is...

*blink blink*

woah, uh... sorry... I thought this was, uh... hey, is that my ride?
*backs out of room*
posted by Dean King at 2:05 PM on March 28, 2002

Mon coeur balance d'amour
Entre le FroidChef et Jean Poulos
La verité: Je les aime
Tous les deux.

Speciallement si Jean aussi achète une chapeau LBJ...
posted by MiguelCardoso at 2:09 PM on March 28, 2002

Mig est vraiment fou.
Il dit qu'il les deux aime bien
mais c'est moi qu'il aime!
posted by Kafkaesque at 2:13 PM on March 28, 2002

bof! monsieur miguel
qu'est que le raison pour le
francais ici, eh?

et j'appologise
pour mon french vrais terrible
ils ont late, n'est pas
posted by asok at 2:17 PM on March 28, 2002

French haikus, now?

As the estimable Andrew McCarthy said:

"There is the brink of insanity, and then there is the abyss...."
posted by jonmc at 2:18 PM on March 28, 2002

alt.mars.idea.like.enjoy.appreciate
alt.borderline.haiku.quit.terminate.knock-it-off
alt.different.communication.try.try.try.
posted by yhbc at 2:21 PM on March 28, 2002

parce que, asok, j'ai fait un fucking raisonable comment dans ce dieu-forsaken thread et, quand je suis retourné, sacré bleu, je trouve que la entier chose has goné le shit creek a bas.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 2:22 PM on March 28, 2002 [1 favorite]

sans un paddle!
posted by Kafkaesque at 2:23 PM on March 28, 2002

alt.portuguese.blowhard.cuss.cuss.cuss
posted by yhbc at 2:23 PM on March 28, 2002

ne parlez pas le français ici, mes amis! Ceci n'est pas votre maison! C'est chez mathowie!

...Pardon! Je suis très autoritaire aujourd'hui.

um...dónde está el baño?
posted by jpoulos at 2:24 PM on March 28, 2002

Wer arbeitet hier?
Papierkramm, nicht websurfen
ist jetzt meine Pflicht.
posted by sheauga at 2:24 PM on March 28, 2002

aikushay, ancakespay, atwhay ouldway attmay asay eoplepay?
posted by jonmc at 2:28 PM on March 28, 2002

Marquez mes mots. C'est la dernier fucking temps que je fais confiance a le FroidChef. Il m'a assuré de fair le cherche, tant le Google comme le MetaFilter. Mais a-t-il fait ça? Pas en ton fuckin' nellie. Il a dit "sodomisez çá par un jeu de soldats" e simplement lifté un article du Nouveau Iorquais. Je me demande s'il lisait le MetaFilter at all. Ce bastard est ici seulement pour la bière et les haikus, si vous me demandez a moi. Cést la dernier paille, si loin que je suis concerné.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 2:32 PM on March 28, 2002

je dof mon cap a vous (tu?) miguel, le franglais est alive!
posted by asok at 2:47 PM on March 28, 2002

At last, my workday is done
Though today I've had less work than fun
But it makes me real sad
That this party we've had
By tomorrow, will surely be gun.*


*gone. Poetic blah, blah, blah.
posted by ColdChef at 2:58 PM on March 28, 2002

ich keine ahnung
habe, sheuaga, du hast
more chance von gessen
posted by asok at 3:02 PM on March 28, 2002

noxious fumes ramp out
my ass to rise heavenward
o'er the moonlit sky
posted by kliuless at 4:24 PM on March 28, 2002

oweeway. isthay readthay isay tillsay eresay?
posted by iconomy at 5:23 PM on March 28, 2002

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posted by iconomy at 5:27 PM on March 28, 2002 [1 favorite]